Kansas RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping in Kansas

RV camping is fun in Kansas, especially if you choose to follow the old cattle and railroad routes. Private RV parks and public campgrounds offer facilities from full service RV resorts to primitive campsites. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available on National Grasslands in Kansas. Legendary people like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday were well known in the early days of western Kansas, and you can follow in their footsteps if you research before hitting the road.

Free RV camping, and public campground topographical location maps follow Kansas RV camping resources.

Kansas Resources for RV Camping Information

• Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding RV parks and campgrounds in Kansas.

• US Forest Service - USFS information with links to the USDA National Forest web site for Kansas. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is permitted on the Cimarron National Grassland in southwestern Kansas.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about camping at wildlife refuges in Kansas. These areas make great RV camping destinations for wildlife viewing.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about lakes and RV camping in Kansas.

• Kansas State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Kansas.  Includes campgrounds.
• State Parks - Information about camping at the many state parks in Kansas.
• Kansas Department of Wildlife - Information about state wildlife areas and camping opportunities.

• Camping Reservations - Kansas Federal Campground Reservations

• Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
• Historical Weather - Know what to expect on your RV camping trip. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

• RV Dump Stations

• RVDump.com - Places to dump in Kansas.
• Sanidumps.com - RV dump stations listed by town.
  

RV Camping pages with more information

• BOONDOCKING - Learn how to find great free dispersed RV camping locations. Rules of camping on Federal public land, and leave no trace camping principles. Great for finding places to camp on the Kansas Cimarron National Grassland.
• USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, camping activities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

Kansas Free Camping

We recommend the Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This Kansas topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of tools to find RV camping sites all across Kansas.

Free camping is available at many of Kansas State Wildlife Management Areas, and US Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Refuges. These areas offer primitive camping in a secluded setting, and are great RV camping destinations. Click on the links above to find out where these camping areas are located.

Kansas Free Camping Locations

The following list shows a small sample of available free camping locations in Kansas.

ARKANSAS CITY

RV camping is available at the Walnut River Park. Water, picnic tables and more.

BELLEVILLE

The town operated Rocky Pond Park has electric available for a donation. Fishing, canoes, and playground.

BLUE RAPIDS

The Chamber of Commerce has a section of Riverside Park they maintain for overnight RV parking. Electric, water, and RV dump station.

CHANUTE

The city maintains the Santa Fe Park and Safari Campground with free RV camping. Restrictions apply such as length of stay, and fees for lengthy stays.

ELKHART

Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is permitted on the Cimarron National Grasslands. Solitude and wide open country.

FORT SCOTT

Limited RV parking is available at Gunn Park. Fishing, playground, canoes, paddle boats and more.

WASHINGTON

This friendly town offers free will donation camping at the City Park Campground. Electric, water, and RV dump station available.

Kansas Public Campgrounds

Kansas public campgrounds are managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, and USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). Public camping is also available at city and county parks as well. The following list is only a sample of the great camping sites in Kansas. Use the resource links above to find public campgrounds in Kansas.

BAXTER SPRINGS

Located on the Spring River, the Baxter Springs City Campground offers overnight RV parking. Playground, basketball courts, and a stage for summer concerts.

CHENEY

Over 400 primitive campsites, and another 233 electric sites are available at Cheney State Park. Boating, hiking, fishing,.

ELLIS

RV camping with hookups, or primitive campsites at Cedar Bluff State Park. On the banks of Cedar Bluff Reservoir, fishing, boating, hiking and more.

INDEPENDENCE

Camping is available at Elk City State Park. There are 4 camping areas...

• Comfort Cove - 52 reservable full hookup RV campsites.
• Day Use - Boat ramp, vault toilet, disc golf, camping.
• Spillway Area - Dispersed camping area.
• Timber Road - Reservable campsites, nature trail, and group shelter available.

LURAY

Small town atmosphere and quiet camping is available at North City Park Campground. Only 4 campsites available, but off the beaten path, and worth the visit.

MARION

Electric and non electric campsites are available at USACE Marion Reservoir. There are 4 camping areas around the lake.

NORTON

Electric and primitive campsites are available at Prairie Dog State Park. Excellent fishing and hunting, as well as hiking trails.

WATERVILLE

New camping facilities are available at Waterville City Campground. Recommended donation of $10 per night.